INFORMATIVE FAQ: (Highway Safety)

 

When your hear the word safety, what comes to your mind? Do you think of the terms cautious, security, and even safe? Then you would be correct. Safety is freedom from a dangerous situation that leaves you unharmed and undamaged. So, if we apply this principle towards driving, then we will be safe on the road. Here are some tips to promote safe driving on the highway.

VA DMV TIPS:

Reducing Your Risk of Injury From Crashes

• Wear your seat belt every time on every ride and make sure everyone else in the vehicle is buckled up.
• Be aware of medication side effects and interactions with alcohol consumption.
• Plan trips during low traffic times.
• Left hand turns are more dangerous, so plan your travel route to include more right hand turns.
• Take a driver improvement class to maintain driving skills and learn the newest highway laws and vehicle changes.
 

Car Seat Tips

Remember, your child's safety begins with you. Set a good example by making sure that you buckle up on every ride. Studies have shown that children are more likely to become lifelong seat belt users when their parents are lifelong seat belt users. The Virginia Highway Safety Office wants to make sure that all children in Virginia are riding safely in the car.

Rear Facing Convertible Child Seat Installation

Forward Facing Child Seat Installation

 

SLOW DOWN & MOVE OVER!!!
Section 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia states:
§ 46.2-921.1. Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways; penalties.

A.  The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subdivision A 1 or A 2 of § 46.2-1025 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

B.  A violation of any provision of this section shall be punishable as a traffic infraction, except that a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this section, when such violation involved a vehicle with flashing, blinking, or alternating blue or red lights, shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C.  If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years. If the violation resulted in the death of another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for two years.
D. The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as defined in § 46.2-878.1.
(2002, cc. 163, 341; 2008, c. 818; 2010, c. 289.)

     

Intersections & Blind Spots:

 

Let’s          +         Avoid       +            This     =        Accident!